PREVIEW: Blackhawks vs Capitals 1/20

TIME:11:30 a.m. CT
TV:
NBC
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The Blackhawks will host the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals for a Sunday matinee at the United Center. Chicago is trying to right the ship following five-straight losses. Four of those defeats have come by just a goal, two in overtime.
Chicago (16-24-9) was swept in their recent two-game eastern road trip, falling 8-5 in New Jersey and 4-3 to the New York Rangers on Thursday night. In that game against the Rangers, Brandon Saad, Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kahun were the goal scorers for the Blackhawks.
DeBrincat scoring is not a new revelation as the young winger has been near dominant in the last stretch, scoring six goals in his last six games. Patrick Kane also continues his stellar, All-Star campaign as he extended his point streak to seven games (5G, 10A) on Thursday night.

Kane paces the Blackhawks in points this season with 65 points (27G, 38A) in 48 games. Jonathan Toews is in second with 18 goals and 24 assists in 49 games. DeBrincat is in third with 39 points, but second on the team with 24 goals.
Between the pipes, Collin Delia has been great in a limited sample size, posting a 3-2-3 record with a 2.75 GAA and .929 save percentage. Cam Ward has compiled a 3.99 GAA and .884 save percentage in 18 starts (7-8-4). Corey Crawford is on IR with a concussion.
The Capitals (27-15-5) are in the midst of a four-game slump, after winning their previous three.
The ageless Russian Alex Ovechkin continues to do what he does best for Washington, and that's score. The 33-year-old Capitals captain has 33 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 52 points in 47 games.
Nicklas Backstrom is second on Washington in scoring with 46 points (12G, 34A) in 46 appearances. In terms of goal scoring, Jakub Vrana is second on the team with 15 tallies, while T.J. Oshie is third with 14 and Tom Wilson is fourth with 13 in only 28 games played.
Braden Holtby is the unquestioned workhorse for Washington, starting 31 games so far this season in net, posting a 2.82 GAA and .912 save percentage.
SEASON SERIES:
This is the second and final meeting of the season between the two clubs. Chicago fell 4-2 to the Caps in D.C. back on Nov. 21. The Blackhawks fought valiantly after falling behind 3-0 as Saad and Erik Gustafsson scored to make it 3-2 with about 15 minutes left to play. However, Devante Smith-Pelly scored the game-winner in the third to lift the Caps to victory.
LINEUP NOTES:
As it is an early game, there will be no morning skate. Stay tuned for lineup notes as they become available.
OPPONENT TO WATCH:
Ovechkin is the easy answer in terms of which opponent to watch. The lethal goal scorer has lit the lamp a league-leading 33 times this season. He's particularly dangerous on the power play and has nine such man-advantage goals this year.
He has three goals and two assists in his last five games.